[NPR] Did A Reporter Just Solve A Bitcoin Mystery? - Satoshi Found?

[BitcoinPorn]

In 2009, a programmer who called himself "Satoshi Nakamoto" created bitcoin. The virtual currency took off, but Satoshi's identity has remained a mystery.

The journalist Joshua Davis tries to track down Satoshi in an article (subscription req'd) in this week's New Yorker.

 
Whoever created bitcoin, it's clear that he (or she, or they) is/are a very clever coder with a deep understanding of cryptography.

An expert tells the New Yorker writer that someone with Satoshi's skills would probably be at Crypto2011, the most important cryptography conference. The writer also notes that Satoshi typically uses British (rather than American) spellings.

So he narrows the field to people from the UK at Crypto2011. He finds one compelling candidate: A guy named Michael Clear.

After I read the article this morning, I called Gavin Andresen, a programmer who has done a lot of work on bitcoin, and who we talked to at length when we did a bitcoin story earlier this year.

I asked Gavin if Michael Clear is Satoshi.

"I have no idea," Gavin told me. "It could be."

Clear was named the top computer-science undergrad at Trinity College in Dublin in 2008. He worked for Allied Irish Banks to improve its currency-trading software in 2009. Also that year, he co-wrote a paper on peer-to-peer technology. (Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer system.)

So Davis, the author of the New Yorker story, emails Clear.

"I like to keep a low profile," Clear replies. "I'm curious to know how you found me."

Davis eventually cuts to the chase:

Finally, I asked, "Are you Satoshi?"

He laughed, but didn't respond. There was an awkward silence.

"If you like, I'd be happy to review the design for you," he offered instead. "I could let you know what I think."

"Sure," I said hesitantly. "Do you need me to send you a link to the code?"

"I think I can find it," he said.

In the end, Clear says he's not the guy — but his denial leaves the door open just a crack:

"I'm not Satoshi," Clear said. "But even if I was I wouldn't tell you."

One other interesting detail: Clear says the bitcoin code is good, but there are some weaknesses. Users store their bitcoins in virtual wallets; the system should automatically provide encryption software to secure those virtual wallets, Clear says.

I didn't bring this detail up when I talked to Gavin today. But when I asked him about news from the bitcoin world, he told me that the latest version of the bitcoin software includes wallet encryption.

- From NPR http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/10/03/141011155/did-a-reporter-just-solve-the-bitcoin-mystery from /r/Bitcoin/ http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/kzmpj/did_a_reporter_just_solve_a_bitcoin_mystery/

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[bulanula]

Holy cow ! This is huge news. I feel Jesus has descended amongst us !!! No, really 

[S3052]

wow! so what it the truth now? is Clear Satoshi or not?

[DeathAndTaxes]

Awesome for Clear to not provide any clarity at all.

[jago25_98]

Don't think so:

o Davis, the author of the New Yorker story, emails Clear.

"I like to keep a low profile," Clear replies. "I'm curious to know how you found me."

Davis eventually cuts to the chase:

Finally, I asked, "Are you Satoshi?"

He laughed, but didn't respond. There was an awkward silence.

^ awkward silence doesn't really work over email.

[Phinnaeus Gage]

Way is the time stamp on this New Yorker article date Oct. 10, 2011?: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_davis

[BitcoinPorn]

Way is the time stamp on this New Yorker article date Oct. 10, 2011?: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_davis

Quick, get them to tell us who wins the big game this weekend!

I think the hard copy date for the magazine is the 10th or something.

Edit: Black Metal Article from The New Yorker From the Future http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2011/10/10/111010crmu_music_frerejones

[sadpandatech]

I think we should all wear Bitcoin badges that proclaim, "I am the Satoshi Nakamoto"(tm).
or
 "I am not Satoshi. But if I were I wouldn't tell you!"(tm)

[Phinnaeus Gage]

I want to be Clear! I did not create Bitcoin.



And, PG, don't even try to link me to Freddy Mercury while playing armchair detective.

[beckspace]

Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.

[bulanula]

Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.

He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing Just like the 20k dump a week ago  

Whoever he is, he is LOADED  !!!

[Littleshop]

Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.

He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing Just like the 20k dump a week ago  

Whoever he is, he is LOADED  !!!

We can tell which coins Satoshi mined in the beginning.  We can tell if they move. 

[beckspace]

He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing

if only he knows a flaw in the code.

[bulanula]

Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.

He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing Just like the 20k dump a week ago  

Whoever he is, he is LOADED  !!!

We can tell which coins Satoshi mined in the beginning.  We can tell if they move. 

Whatever, he is still going to be LOADED when he cashes out. Even if he only does 1000 BTC at a time etc. and transfers it to different addresses to obfuscate the laundering etc.

[evoorhees]

Satoshi would not be first concerned about user encryption wallet, just like Gavin told at the NY conference.

He would be concerned about how to dump the rest of the coins on the market without anybody noticing Just like the 20k dump a week ago  

Whoever he is, he is LOADED  !!!

We can tell which coins Satoshi mined in the beginning.  We can tell if they move. 

Whatever, he is still going to be LOADED when he cashes out. Even if he only does 1000 BTC at a time etc. and transfers it to different addresses to obfuscate the laundering etc.

For some people, "cashing out" happened when they got rid of their fiat currency for something better. For some people, there is little desire to exchange this valuable currency for the play-money of governments.

[gnar1ta$]

For some people, "cashing out" happened when they got rid of their fiat currency for something better. For some people, there is little desire to exchange this valuable currency for the play-money of governments.

But play-money of governments buys more stuff - and people need stuff.  When do you think I can buy gas and groceries with my Bitcoins?

[bulanula]

For some people, "cashing out" happened when they got rid of their fiat currency for something better. For some people, there is little desire to exchange this valuable currency for the play-money of governments.

But play-money of governments buys more stuff - and people need stuff.  When do you think I can buy gas and groceries with my Bitcoins?

Exactly. Most miners cash out ASAP as their things are confirmed etc. !

[dunand]

Satoshi told Andresen that he wanted to work on another project.

This maybe the other project : http://www.impartio.com/team.php

[Anonymous]

He certainly looks the part.

[bulanula]

He certainly looks the part.

LOL epic ! Let us hope he does not cash out ASAP now he has been uncovered !

Always knew he was from the UK. Who else reads the times !?!? LOL nice one mates !